Secrets of Rusty Things

Secrets of Rusty Things
Author: Michael Demeng
Publisher: North Light Books
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2007-05-30
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
ISBN: 9781581809282

If you've ever wanted to learn the secrets which turn a tap handle into a mysterious woman from the sea, which transform plastic aquarium plants into subterranean roots stretching far beneath the known world and those which can make an icy cave from a bourbon box, then prepare yourself for inspiration that will have you checking your trash bin, twice. &break;&break;In Secrets of Rusty Things, renowned assemblage artist Michael DeMeng guides you down the intuitive, curious and often rock-strewn path of an artist's creative process, where illusions are just as important as any other aspect to the art. You'll discover new ideas of where to look for, not only discarded objects, but new items that you may not have previously seen as having a place in a future work of art. You'll be inspired by ways to add meaningful symbolism to your artworks' stories both through the use of color and shape. And you'll see how an ancient tale can parallel the artist's plight and invoke a new piece of art. &break;&break;From the pondering of each ancient myth and its connection to the modern-day artist, to the gluing together of objects, to the paint that unifies and disguises the original bits and pieces, this is an intimate view into the creative process unlike any workshop you've ever attended.

Box Art

Box Art
Author: Dona Z. Meilach
Publisher: Random House Value Publishing
Total Pages: 112
Release: 1975
Genre: Art
ISBN:

Altered Art

Altered Art
Author: Terry Taylor
Publisher: Lark Books
Total Pages: 152
Release: 2004
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
ISBN: 9781579905507

Contains techniques for creating altered books, boxes, cards, and more.

Making Mosaics with Found Objects

Making Mosaics with Found Objects
Author: Mara Wallach
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Total Pages: 118
Release: 2010-12-20
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
ISBN: 0811744272

Make mosaics on any surface--mirrors, tables, chairs, picture frames, bowls, switch plate covers, wooden shoes, and more.

Objects of Reflection

Objects of Reflection
Author: Annie Lockhart
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 285
Release: 2010-01-22
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1440310017

Use souvenirs, keepsakes and everyday objects in your own brand of storytelling. Objects of Reflection brings you a new form of visual journaling–that of assemblage–by creating art that is extremely personal and evokes your fondest memories. Inspiration pours from every page as author Annie Lockhart takes you on a journey inside of her own heart, sharing her stories for building pieces with tiny treasures and common objects. Specific elements of each project are displayed in a legend, detailing what each object symbolizes and will have you thinking about what similar objects might represent to you. In addition to providing insight on her own art-making process, Annie will guide you through her favorite step-by-step techniques for attaching elements with simple materials like string, wire and tape; aging objects to give them a bit of charm; adding texture with modeling paste and more. Dare to color outside the lines. Discover a new way to tell your own story and start using objects as "words" today. You'll also receive insight on valuable lessons such as: • Quieting your harsh inner critic • Seeing the beauty in objects that are broken • Looking at the things you love with new perspective • Realizing art need not be permanent to be enjoyed

Living the Creative Life

Living the Creative Life
Author: Rice Freeman-Zachery
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 279
Release: 2007-08-15
Genre: Art
ISBN: 160061213X

How DO they do it? If you could ask your favorite artist or crafter only one question, chances are you'd ask about creativity: Where do your ideas come from? How did you get started? What are your tricks for overcoming blocks? In Living the Creative Life, author Ricë Freeman-Zachery has compiled answers to these questions and more from 15 successful artists in a variety of mediums—from assemblage to fiber arts, beading to mixed-media collage. Creativity is different for everyone, and these artists share their insights on the muse (if you believe in her), keeping a sketchbook (or not), and prioritizing your art, whether you aspire to create solely for your own pleasure or to become a full-time artist. • Try your hand at creative jumpstarts straight from the pros. • Glimpse the artists' innermost thoughts and works in progress as you peruse pages from their journals and notebooks. • Share textile artist Sas Colby's triumph over creative block during an exotic art retreat. • Learn how internationally acclaimed artist James Michael Starr uses experience from his former "day job" to fuel his creation today. • Explore the work of Michael deMeng, Claudine Hellmuth, Melissa Zink and the other artists right alongside their insights. No crafter or artist should live the creative life without Living the Creative Life! The inspiration is contagious.

Altered Curiosities

Altered Curiosities
Author: Jane Ann Wynn
Publisher: North Light Books
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2007-09-20
Genre: Art
ISBN: 9781581809725

Discover a curious world of assemblage with projects that have a story to tell! Step inside Altered Curiosities, where a wisdom tooth gets its own shrine, a honeybee lights up the room and a taxidermy eye becomes the eye in the back of your head. As author Jane Wynn shares her unique approach to mixed-media art, you'll learn to alter, age and transform odd objects into novel new works of your own creation. Step-by-step instructions guide you in making delightfully different projects that go way beyond art for the wall—including jewelry, hair accessories, a keepsake box, a bird feeder and more—all accompanied by a story about the inspiration behind the project. You'll also learn to: Find your personal symbols and incorporate them into your work. Alter toy figures to create curious new creatures. Master simple soldering techniques that take you beyond the soldering iron. Apply beautiful patinas and etchings to brass and copper. Transform cast resin into pieces that look like metal. The endless possibilities of assemblage are yours to discover! Let Altered Curiosities inspire you to create a new world that's all your own.

The Artist Unique

The Artist Unique
Author: Carmen Torbus
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2011-04-27
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1440315094

Make your mark your way! Every artist seeks to stand apart from the crowd. But how? Let author Carmen Torbus inspire you to new creative highs in this collection of hands-on techniques and heartfelt stories from 16 artists who have worked through their own artistic struggles and stalls to emerge triumphant, with looks uniquely their own. Whether art is new to you, or you have been at it awhile and are having trouble discovering your own style, this encouraging book will guide you to experiment with different mediums, techniques and possibilities to make a mark that is exclusively yours. Inside you'll find: • 17 of the artists' favorite mixed-media techniques shown step by step, with suggestions for how to make them your own • Beautiful finished art illustrating how individual artists use and combine these techniques in their own work • Easy worksheets to help reveal your artistic skills, strengths and preferences • A quick-start guide to various mediums, mark makers and creative paraphernalia • Lots of tips and advice for putting yourself into your art Embrace who you are and find out what defines you as an artist. Make your art far from ordinary--become the artist UNIQUE!

The House of Rust

The House of Rust
Author: Khadija Abdalla Bajaber
Publisher: Graywolf Press
Total Pages: 285
Release: 2021-10-19
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1644451603

The first Graywolf Press African Fiction Prize winner, a story of a girl’s fantastical sea voyage to rescue her father The House of Rust is an enchanting novel about a Hadhrami girl in Mombasa. When her fisherman father goes missing, Aisha takes to the sea on a magical boat made of a skeleton to rescue him. She is guided by a talking scholar’s cat (and soon crows, goats, and other animals all have their say, too). On this journey Aisha meets three terrifying sea monsters. After she survives a final confrontation with Baba wa Papa, the father of all sharks, she rescues her own father, and hopes that life will return to normal. But at home, things only grow stranger. Khadija Abdalla Bajaber’s debut is a magical realist coming-of-age tale told through the lens of the Swahili and diasporic Hadhrami culture in Mombasa, Kenya. Richly descriptive and written with an imaginative hand and sharp eye for unusual detail, The House of Rust is a memorable novel by a thrilling new voice.